Obituary for Sydney Ann Eilers

There are no words to express or even explain the thanks and gratitude to the people that helped nurture Sydney Ann Eilers into the wonderful, loving person that she grew up to be.

On May 23, 1998 Sydney arrived in this world to Dan and Beth Eilers in a similar fashion as her older brother Austin-- with a rare genetic disorder. She and Austin together became the only Chromosome 9p- “Irish Twins” in the world… that we know of.

Sydney was immediately rushed to the NICU at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, IA to be placed into the loving care of nurses, physicians and other providers that tended to her demanding medical needs. Although we didn’t know the condition at the time, medical attention surrounded her. We knew we were in a special place when we found out that Dr. Hopkins came out of retirement to perform a very rare hernia repair. We will never forget this. Thank you to the entire NICU team.

Over the next few months Sydney was placed into the miraculous caring hands of several clinicians and specialists at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics including neurosurgeon Dr. Meneses. Our thanks go out to you and the other specialists participating in her tenuous and delicate procedure. Thank you to the geneticists, genealogists and Dr. Canady (and crew) in the Dept. of Otolaryngology.

As Sydney grew up, she attended multiple schools within Waukee, IA. There she encountered many wonderful caring teachers, associates—including Miss Jeanine, faculty, staff and of course Coach V. Thank you for all your dedicated hard work. Not only did you enrich Sydney’s life (as well as all of her class mates) you all shed light on what it means to have “special needs”. You helped demystify special needs “stigma” to their fellow students. Keep up the good work!

Throughout the years Sydney would impact just about anybody she encountered-- whether they wanted to meet her or not. Sydney was not afraid to “introduce” herself into just about any social circle. Thank you to all our family, friends/neighbors, (and strangers) who generously let Sydney into their world. (This includes the ever loving “Nell Hug”.) You brought a very precious smile to Sydney’s heart that she was not always able to verbalize. A special “shout out” to her “sisters”, Brittney and Hillary (and many other from over the years). Also a special thank you to Jesse—even though you always left her hair way too long when you cut it (IMO).

Over the years Sydney encountered new friends through various programs including Child Serve, Vodec, Courage League, Miracle League, Tim Tebow’s “Night to Shine”, Best Buddies and ONE Body at Lutheran Church of Hope.

Sydney fought the ailments that accompanied her condition. She fought hard. She taught many of us how to fight hard when overcoming our challenges. After numerous hospital visits and multiple medical procedures Sydney passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025 to spend more time with Jesus.

We were blessed to have Sydney be in the caring warmth of so many in the medical community here in Des Moines including: UnityPointe Health, Iowa Methodist Hospital, Hospitals at Home, Depts. of Pulmonology, Hematology/Oncology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Interventional Radiology. (And especially the housekeeping staff who would quietly pray over Sydney as they swept the floor in her hospital rooms.)

And a very special “Thank You” to the entire wholistic,collaborative approach from those at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Sydney is survived by her mom, Beth Eilers; dad, Dan Eilers; and brother, Austin Eilers. Also surviving are her grandmother, Bette Eilers; her uncles, Joe Eilers and Bill Schutter; her aunts, Beth Haynes, Diane Gruber, Katie Baietto, Barry Eilers, and Rita Schutter; her cousins, Kyle Haynes, Matt Haynes, Ryan Baietto, Joe Baietto, Andrew Gruber, Grace Eilers, Henry Eilers, Ethan Schutter, and Haley Schutter; and several second cousins.

She was preceded in death by:  grandparents:  Vernon and Shirley Schutter and Jim Eilers.

Please join the Eilers’ family at Lutheran Church of Hope

925 Jordan Creek Parkway

West Des Moines, Iowa

Date:  Saturday, March 1st

Time:  Visitation : 9:00;  Service: 11:00

Luncheon following immediately after service.

For those unable to join us in person, please join us virtually, here:

https://wdm.lutheranchurchofhope.org/funeral-livestream/

In memory of Sydney: If you see someone that doesn’t necessarily have the same abilities as you, go ahead and introduce yourself. Reach out to them. They want to have fun and need friends just like you do.

…So, to all you cheerleaders out there… Never let anyone dull your Sparkle! (Thanks Mara!)